This week on After the Apex, we take a step back to review the 2026 Formula 1 season so far and look ahead to the Canadian Grand Prix in Montreal. Mercedes has set the pace early, with George Russell and Kimi Antonelli leading the charge, while Ferrari, Red Bull, and McLaren try to close the gap before the championship picture gets away from them. We break down the biggest storylines from the opening races, including Antonelli’s breakout form, Russell’s response, and which teams already look like they are playing catch-up. Then we preview Canada, a fast, unforgiving circuit known for heavy braking, tight walls, safety cars, and unpredictable weather, where one mistake can completely change the weekend. With Canada also bringing Sprint pressure, this could be the race that either confirms Mercedes’ dominance or opens the door for chaos.

We look back at Melbourne and our first reactions to the chaos and new regulations and discuss what we can expect going forward, and then we touch on our thoughts for the China GP and sprint race!

Formula 1 is back.

In this episode of After the Apex, David and Eric preview the Australian Grand Prix at Albert Park, the traditional season opener that finally answers the biggest question from the offseason: who actually got it right in testing?

The guys break down the key storylines heading into Melbourne, including expectations for Red Bull, Ferrari’s annual hype cycle, whether Mercedes has truly solved their issues, and if McLaren’s late-season momentum can carry into the new year.

They also run through a rapid-fire set of Over/Under predictions for the weekend — safety cars, podiums, rookie mistakes, and the chaos factor that Albert Park often delivers.

With the first race of the season comes the first real look at the 2026 pecking order, and if Melbourne history tells us anything, it’s that the script can flip quickly.

Testing shows who’s comfortable. Melbourne shows who’s fast.